Steve Hanley

Who is Steve Hanley?

Steve Hanley is an Irish-born English musician, based in Manchester. He is best known for playing bass guitar in The Fall from 1979 to 1998, and afterwards in The Lovers.

Hanley's distinctive basslines were a signature part of The Fall, often carrying a song's instrumental melody without forsaking the bass guitar's traditional role as a propulsive element of the rhythm section. He is described by critic Dave Simpson as "one of British music's greatest bassists". Second only to founding vocalist Mark E. Smith in longevity in the group, Hanley co-wrote over 100 songs on more than a dozen albums. Smith spoke publicly of his admiration for Hanley, telling Melody Maker in 1983 "The most original aspect of The Fall is Steve...I've never heard a bass player like him...I don't have to tell him what to play, he just knows. He is The Fall sound."